I don't want to start a firestorm but was wondering what ya'll thought and where you get your chicks. My kids show 4H and we hope to show in actuall poultry show sin the future. We ordered last year from the hatchery and had luck with all ou chicks arriving ok and no sick birds. We have also bought from breeders and have not had any prolems there either. Now that the kids are more into it is it worth hunting and searching for certain breeds or ordering from the hatchery? Just would love to hear what you all think. Thanks
I got mine from a hatchery and they have some defects but there healthy and I love them so there perfect for me. You said they wanted to show, then I would go with a breeder. Thats just what I would do.
If you are going to show i recomend getting them from a breeder. I showed a hatchery quality hen and she did fine won Ch English Class but that was a small show and only 4 in her class. But i would go with Show Quality birds
Breeder! Both ways, hands down. Even if you don't want to show them into the highest level, breeders are the better way to go. You know how your chick was treated if you pick them up on sight, and breeders are more apt to care about where their chicks go, I know I do.
If you know for sure that you want to show, decide on a breed and then find a serious show and hobby breeder who knows a lot about their breed and who actually shows their birds. A good show potential chick costs a few dollars more than a hatchery chick, but it is still outrageously cheap compared to any other hobby you might want to get into. Your children will enjoy showing more if they know there is a possibility of winning, and that no one is laughing at their birds behind their backs. When you find a breeder, you have to interview them. Ask where their breeding stock comes from. Ask if they show their birds. There are people out there who buy hatchery stock and then when they get their first generation of chicks, they announce that they are a breeder. Well, they started with hatchery chicks and they will only have hatchery quality chicks when they breed their hatchery birds. This happens more than it should, unfortunately. So ask a few questions. Best luck to you. Showing poultry is a lot of fun and there are a lot of really nice people at the shows.
I have bought chicks from both. For showing though, you might want to go with a breeder that breeds show quality birds. There are a lot of those on here !
Check around for poultry shows in your area. That's a great way to find breeders who show their birds! We go every year to the Fort Worth Stock Show's poultry show and always have a wonderful time. So many of the breeders who show there have been happy to talk "chicken" with us and have been very generous with their time.
